Golf Training Apparatus

ABSTRACT

Golf training apparatus and method for golf training using a golf training apparatus. The golf training apparatus comprises a target member having a substantially flat form extending across an area larger than a regulation-sized golf hole area, and a target opening formed in the target member. The target opening extends inward from an edge of the target member. The target opening defines a space smaller than or equal to a regulation-sized golf hole. The target member provides a target for training to putt a golf ball.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims the priority of provisional application 62/176,249, titled “Half Cup Putting Aid,” filed on Feb. 13, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Golf is a sport that is played around the world by people of all ages and skill levels. The sport requires participants to hit a variety of shots including driving, pitching, and putting. Practice and training help participants improve their skill level. Consequently, many golf courses include driving ranges, putting greens, and bunkers, which can be used by players to practice different types of golf shots. Many players spend significant time practicing and training to improve their skill level.

Putting is a significant part of the golf game and accounts for a significant portion of a typical golf score. Devices and methods to improve players' putting ability provide significant value to players. There is need for an affordable golf training device to improve the practice experience and increase player skill level.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various example embodiments are described herein with reference to the following drawings, in which like numerals denote like entities, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of an example of a golf training apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the example golf training apparatus at B-B in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the golf training apparatus in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the golf training apparatus in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the golf training apparatus in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a golf training method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a top view of an example of a golf training apparatus 100. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the example golf training apparatus 100 at B-B′ in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a side view of the golf training apparatus 100 in FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the golf training apparatus 100 comprises a target member 101 having a substantially flat form extending across an area larger than a regulation-sized golf hole area, and a target opening 102 formed in the target member 101. The target opening 102 extends inward from an edge 107 of the target member 101 to a partially circular opening 103 formed in the area of the target member 101. The partially circular opening 103 may have a partially circular diameter smaller than or equal to a regulation-sized golf hole. The target opening 102 defines a space smaller than or equal to a regulation-sized golf hole. In an example implementation, the target member 101 may be placed on a surface to provide a training target for training to putt a golf ball. It is noted that while the example illustrated in FIG. 1 shows a partially circular opening 103 within the target member 101, the opening is not limited to any specific shape.

In an example implementation, the golf training apparatus 100 in FIG. 1 includes a positioning portion 104 affixed to the target member 101 to position the target member 101 on a golf hole. The positioning portion 104 extends from a bottom surface 112 of the target member 101. The positioning portion 104 also extends from one edge 114 of the target opening circumferentially to the other edge 116 of the target opening 102. The positioning portion 104 has a positioning portion diameter that is less than or equal to the diameter of a regulation-sized golf hole. The golf training apparatus 100 may be positioned over a golf hole and maintained in the golf hole by inserting the positioning portion 104 into the golf hole. The positioning portion 104 dimensions may ensure that the golf training apparatus 100 is maintained on the golf hole.

In an example implementation, the positioning portion 104 may form an annular section comprising an outer annular surface 110 and an inner annular surface 108 with a thickness, T, between the outer annular surface 110 and the inner annular surface 108. The positioning portion diameter may be defined as a diameter of a circle formed by the outer annular surface 110.

The golf training apparatus 100 having the positioning portion 104 extending from the bottom surface 112 of the target member 101 to a flat surface 118 on an end opposite an end 119 attached to the target member 101. The flat surface 118 may define the thickness between the inner annular surface 108 and the outer annular surface 110. In another example implementation, the positioning portion 104 tapers from a larger positioning portion diameter at 119 near the part of the positioning portion 104 that attaches to the target member 101 to a smaller positioning portion diameter at an end 118 opposite the end at 119 that attaches to the target member 101. The taper in the positioning portion 104 assists in the insertion of the golf training apparatus 100 into a golf hole with a smaller diameter in the positioning portion 104 as the golf training apparatus 100 enters the hole. When the golf training apparatus 100 is inserted, the larger positioning portion diameter provides a tighter fit against the edge of the golf hole helping maintain the golf training apparatus 100 in the hole.

In an example implementation, the inner annular surface 108 of the positioning portion 104 extends from an arc 117 forming a portion of the partially circular opening 103 of the target member 101. At such arc 117, the partially circular opening 103 forms a surface extending downward to also form the inner annular surface 108 at the arc 117.

The example golf training apparatuses illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the positioning portion 104 forms the annular section as a continuous partially circular section. In other example implementations, the positioning member 104 may extend in sections, or tabs, with spaces in between.

It is noted that the example golf training apparatus 100 comprises a target member 101 that is substantially circular in shape. The target member 101 may however have any other suitable shape such as rectangular, trapezoid, or triangular. In the example shown in FIGS. 1-3, the circular shape of the target member 101 extends to a contoured edge 120. The contoured edge 120 is formed circumferentially around the target member 101 to deflect putts that are off center, or that miss entry in the target opening 102. The deflection off the rounded edge 120 provides feedback indicating a failed putt to a user. The contoured edge 120 may be any suitable shape, such as, rounded, beveled, sloped, or any other suitable shape.

As noted above, the partially circular opening diameter is equal to or less than the diameter of a regulation golf hole. In an example implementation, a partially circular opening diameter is less than the diameter of the regulation golf hole to advantageously provide a smaller target on which to train. By training on a smaller target opening, the actual golf hole in a competition appears larger and easier to target. A golfer thus finds it easier to make their golf putts. The target opening 102 may have a target opening width that is also smaller than or equal to the diameter of the regulation golf hole. The target opening width and the partially circular opening diameter may be larger than the diameter of a regulation golf hole. A target opening width and partially circular opening diameter smaller than the regulation golf hole but larger than the regulation golf ball provides a target that is smaller than a golf hole, but large enough to allow the user to sink the putt that hits the target.

In an example implementation, the partially circular opening 103 is a semi-circular opening substantially as shown in FIG. 1. The target opening 102 extends outward from the semi-circular opening towards the edge 107 of the target member 101. FIG. 1 also substantially illustrates a substantially constant target opening width extending from the semi-circular opening to the edge 107.

The golf training apparatus 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 provides a training device for a golfer to practice putts. The golf training apparatus 100 may be placed into a golf hole, and the user may attempt to putt a golf ball in to the target opening 102. The golf training apparatus 100 may also have the flat surface 118 shown in FIG. 2 to allow a user to place the golf training apparatus 100 on a surface that is not in the area around a golf hole. The golf training apparatus 100 may thus be used on almost any surface. Where the user chooses to insert the golf training apparatus 100 into a golf hole, the user may practice putts and then rotate the golf training apparatus 100 within the golf hole to change the direction of the target opening 102. In this way, the user may practice putts on a golf hole placed on a surface with a pitch, allowing the user to practice putts that traverse a variety of pitches for a given hole.

Example implementations of the golf training apparatus 100 in FIGS. 1-3 may be made of any suitable material such as, for example, a resin, a metal, a wood material, rubber, synthetic rubber, and a foam material.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of an example 150 of the golf training apparatus 100 in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the example 160 of the golf training apparatus 100 in FIG. 1.

As noted above, the golf training apparatus 100 illustrated and described above with reference to FIGS. 1-6 may be used by a user to train and hone the user's putting skills. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a golf training method. As shown in FIG. 6, a user places an implementation of a golf training apparatus 170 on a surface, or on a golf hole. The user then positions a golf ball 172 a desired distance from the golf training apparatus 170 such that a successful putt would result in the golf ball 172 traveling in a direction leading into the target opening of the golf training apparatus 170. During a training putt, the user strikes the golf ball 172 with a force F using a golf club 174.

The force F may direct the golf ball 172 towards the target opening of the golf training apparatus 170 as indicated at 180 should the user strike the golf ball 172 with a successful putt. The force F may also direct the golf ball 172 along a right side unsuccessful putt as indicated at 182. The golf ball 172 may deflect off the edge of the golf training apparatus 170 as shown at 184 providing feedback to the user that the putt was unsuccessful. The force F may also direct the golf ball 172 along a left side unsuccessful putt as indicated at 186. The golf ball 172 may deflect off the edge of the golf training apparatus 170 as shown at 188 providing feedback to the user than the putt was unsuccessful.

As noted above, the user may use the golf training apparatus 170 on any suitable surface, or on a golf hole. The golf training apparatus 170 may be used on a golf hole having a pitch that varies depending on where the golf ball 170 is placed. By training with the golf training apparatus 170 having the target opening oriented in a variety of directions, the user may be well prepared for a putt on the golf hole during competition.

It will be understood that various aspects or details of the invention may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing description is for the purpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation—the invention being defined by the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a target member having a substantially flat form extending across an area larger than a regulation-sized golf hole area; and a target opening formed in the target member, the target opening extending inward from an edge of the target member defining a space smaller than or equal to a regulation-sized golf hole; where the target member provides a target for training to putt a golf ball.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a positioning portion affixed to the target member to position the target member on a golf hole.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 where: the positioning portion extends from a bottom surface of the target member and from one edge of the target opening circumferentially to the other edge of the target opening, the positioning portion having a positioning portion diameter that is less than or equal to the diameter of a regulation-sized golf hole to maintain the target member on a golf hole when the positioning portion is inserted into the golf hole.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 where the positioning portion forms an annular section comprising an outer annular surface and an inner annular surface with a thickness between the outer annular surface and the inner annular surface, where the positioning portion diameter is defined as a diameter of the outer annular surface.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 where the positioning portion extends from the bottom surface of the target member to a flat surface on an end opposite an end attached to the target member, the flat surface defining the thickness between the inner annular surface and the outer annular surface.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 where the inner annular surface of the positioning portion extends from a partially circular portion of the target opening.
 7. The apparatus of claim 4 where the positioning portion tapers from a larger positioning portion diameter where the positioning portion attaches to the target member to a smaller positioning portion diameter at an end opposite where the positioning portion attaches to the target member.
 8. The apparatus of claim 3 where the positioning portion extends circumferentially in sections with spaces there between.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a contoured edge formed circumferentially around the target member to deflect putts that are off center providing feedback to a user.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 where the space defined by the target opening is larger than a regulation-sized golf ball.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 where the target opening in the target member extends inward to a semi-circular opening in the target member.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 where the target opening extends at a substantially constant length defined by the diameter of the semi-circular opening.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1 where the target member has a substantially circular shape.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1 where the target member is made of a material selected from the consisting of: resin; metal; wood; rubber; synthetic rubber; and foam material.
 15. A golf putting training method comprising: positioning a target member on a surface, the target member having a substantially flat form extending across an area larger than the area of a regulation-sized golf hole, and a target opening formed in the target member, the target opening extending inward from an edge of the target member, the target opening defining a space smaller than or equal to a regulation-sized golf hole; striking a golf ball towards the target opening.
 16. The golf putting training method of claim 15 further comprising: positioning the target member over a golf hole.
 17. The golf putting training method of claim 16 where the target opening is directed in a first direction, the method further comprising: re-positioning the target member in the golf hole with the target opening directed in a second direction. 